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It'll be interesting to see how Sands/Elliott/Spurrier divvy up the carries between Davis/Wilds/Carson/Williams. I believe Coach Sands said that they worked Mike too hard last year.

Also, without a threat to keep the ball on the zone read plays, what happens when Mike is the focus? I'd be somewhat surprised if the "read" is still part of the playbook this year because Thompson/Mitch/Orth aren't threats to keep it every time. Probably going to go back to predominately inside zone and designed QB keeps like we did with Garcia.

Either the passing game is really going to have to be efficient most games to open up the run or the offensive line is going to have to make something happen against 8 man fronts.

It'll be interesting to see how Sands/Elliott/Spurrier divvy up the carries between Davis/Wilds/Carson/Williams. I believe Coach Sands said that they worked Mike too hard last year.

Also, without a threat to keep the ball on the zone read plays, what happens when Mike is the focus? I'd be somewhat surprised if the "read" is still part of the playbook this year because Thompson/Mitch/Orth aren't threats to keep it every time. Probably going to go back to predominately inside zone and designed QB keeps like we did with Garcia.

Either the passing game is really going to have to be efficient most games to open up the run or the offensive line is going to have to make something happen against 8 man fronts.

Running game & balance offensively is definitely a big key this year.

The past few years we've based everything off of setting up the read and all that, but only ran the read itself only a few times a game, Mangus still likes THompson's speed and has talked about trying to convince Mitch that he's as fast as he is. You won't see QB draws, but every indication from the coaches says we aren't scrapping the read. Everyone is talking about moving to pocket passers, but whenever our coaches talk about who we get they talk about how much they like in both their running and throwing. None of our guys will break off 60 yard runs, but out offense doesn't call them to. I mean hell, we've ran Thompson plenty in his career, and he's done well with it.

The past few years we've based everything off of setting up the read and all that, but only ran the read itself only a few times a game, Mangus still likes THompson's speed and has talked about trying to convince Mitch that he's as fast as he is. You won't see QB draws, but every indication from the coaches says we aren't scrapping the read. Everyone is talking about moving to pocket passers, but whenever our coaches talk about who we get they talk about how much they like in both their running and throwing. None of our guys will break off 60 yard runs, but out offense doesn't call them to. I mean hell, we've ran Thompson plenty in his career, and he's done well with it.

A lot of Thompson's carries have been in the redzone though which ultimately is what counts. However I think its going to be interesting watching the run game/scheme between the 20's. Given what we THINK our offensive line is going to be capable of and the personnel we do have, maybe we mix in more sprint draw and more power runs from traditional undercenter sets. I just don't see the zone plays being as effective as they were with Connor. Going to have to get a little more creative I think.

Even with a healthy Connor, the run game stalled out against Clemson and Wisky for whatever reason unless it was Connor making a play.

A lot of Thompson's carries have been in the redzone though which ultimately is what counts. However I think its going to be interesting watching the run game/scheme between the 20's. Given what we THINK our offensive line is going to be capable of and the personnel we do have, maybe we mix in more sprint draw and more power runs from traditional undercenter sets. I just don't see the zone plays being as effective as they were with Connor. Going to have to get a little more creative I think.

Even with a healthy Connor, the run game stalled out against Clemson and Wisky for whatever reason unless it was Connor making a play.

I agree. Defenses are going to focus on stopping Mike D. I'd expect to see some of the types of running plays from the Mitchell era and some of the Garcia eta brought back.

I think the drives where spurrier really wants to burn some clock he will bring in Cooper to run the zone read.

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"Yeah, Clemson can beat Virginia Tech as many times as they want, but ask them if they want another piece of South Carolina." - Colin Cowherd

Even with a healthy Connor, the run game stalled out against Clemson and Wisky for whatever reason unless it was Connor making a play.

It looked like the OL became dependent on Connor's 3rd down running ability. I don't like using the word lazy.
The 2014 OL needs to improve their run blocking but USC's offensive power will mainly be passing. There is a different mind set between pass blocking and run blocking.

It looked like the OL became dependent on Connor's 3rd down running ability. I don't like using the word lazy.
The 2014 OL needs to improve their run blocking but USC's offensive power will mainly be passing. There is a different mind set between pass blocking and run blocking.

I agree with you about the o line. Towards the end of the season we just couldn't get a very good push. Also, Clemson played a lot with 8 men in the box against us and that worked well for them. Wisconsin also played 7-8 in the box vs us.

Even with a healthy Connor, the run game stalled out against Clemson and Wisky for whatever reason unless it was Connor making a play.

that's because davis and wilds were injured.

our ol is deeper and more talented this year, and we have a lot of help for davis. i think our offense will be extremely successful this season, and if our secondary situation messes out, this could be one of the top teams in the sec.

The past few years we've based everything off of setting up the read and all that, but only ran the read itself only a few times a game, Mangus still likes THompson's speed and has talked about trying to convince Mitch that he's as fast as he is. You won't see QB draws, but every indication from the coaches says we aren't scrapping the read. Everyone is talking about moving to pocket passers, but whenever our coaches talk about who we get they talk about how much they like in both their running and throwing. None of our guys will break off 60 yard runs, but out offense doesn't call them to. I mean hell, we've ran Thompson plenty in his career, and he's done well with it.

That is what I don't get...where do people get the idea Thompson can't run the zone-read...he has proven he can run it before...is it his forte?
NO.

Is he as big a threat in the run-game as Connor was? No.

But Thompson I think can at least make teams stay honest in the run game...I mean, he can break off 20 yards when we only need 19.

If Thompson can consistently get 4-6 yards when he keeps on the zone read, that is great by me.

Like you said, don't scrap the read...but just not use it as the setup of the offense this ear.

We got three powerful runners in Davis, Wilds and Williams...set up the power run with them to get the playaction pass and supplement with the zone read.

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"I don't know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended."-S. Spurrier on scheduling changes in the sec.

One thing I would like to throw in....... with Shaw running the ball, we had a capable backup...... but with Thompson running and getting hurt, I don't believe we have as capable of a backup. Thus I see Dylan running as a lesser option.

One thing I would like to throw in....... with Shaw running the ball, we had a capable backup...... but with Thompson running and getting hurt, I don't believe we have as capable of a backup. Thus I see Dylan running as a lesser option.

DT is a bigger guy than Connor. Less likely to get hurt. Dylan can be a tough guy to bring down.
As far as a backup QB I think we will have one by Sept. I'm sure Spurrier has a backup picked out already. I think it is Orth. Spurrier is very turnover-conscious in his choice of QBs.